Corey Waddell has been placed on report for an apparent headgear pull on Kalyn Ponga in the Knights’ 22-16 win over the Bulldogs tonight.
With Canterbury trailing by 10 late in the first half, Waddell and Ponga became entangled in an awkward challenge, after which, the Knights fullback let his grievance known to the referee.
Play continued through the next few phases until the bunker pulled up the incident, with Waddell placed on report for his part in the tackle.
Upon review, it became apparent Waddell had ripped Ponga’s headgear down toward the ground, attempting to prevent the fullback from playing the ball.
Waddell argued that “my fingers were caught” in the holes of Ponga’s headgear, but officials had seen enough.
“Is he trying to untie it or what? What is going on here?” Fox Sports caller Andrew Voss said in commentary.
“Oh please. Corey, c’mon, you’re better than that. Corey is claiming he had his finger caught. That’s a great moment in rugby league, that’s a Dally M moment.
“He should get a week for telling porkies,” League legend Steve Roach quipped.
The Knights had it mostly their way for much of the evening at Cbus Stadium, as they all but locked up a finals berth in seventh position on the NRL ladder.
Mitchell Pearce pulled the strings in attack with two sensational assists with the boot, while Ponga was as solid as ever in the No.1 jersey.
A late fightback from the Bulldogs will not leave Knights coach Adam O’Brien pleased, however, with a difficult finals campaign rapidly approaching.
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